Abrahamsen, Hans

Abrahamsen, Hans, Danish composer; b. Copenhagen, Dec. 23, 1952. He studied horn, theory, and music history at the Royal Danish Cons, of Music in Copenhagen (1969–71), then composition at the Jutland Academy of Music in Århus with Gudmundsen-Holmgreen and Norgård. His music presents an effective blend of folkloric Scandinavian elements and modernistic devices often veering off into atonal melos, viralized by polyrhythmic dynamic contrasts.

Works

ORCH.: Skum (Foam; 1970); Sym. in C (1972); 2 numbered syms. (1974, 1982); Stratifications (1973–75); Nacht und Trompeten (1981; Berlin, March 25, 1982); Märchenbilder for 14 Players (1984; London, Feb. 7, 1985); Cello Concerto (1987). CHAMBER: Fantasy Pieces after Hans-Jergen Nielsen for Flute, Horn, Cello, and Piano (1969; rev. 1976); October for Piano, Left Hand (1969; rev. 1976); Herbst for Tenor, Flute, Guitar, and Cello (1970-72; rev. 1977); Round and In Between for Brass Quintet (1972); 2 woodwind quintets: No. 1, Landscapes (1972) and No. 2, Walden (1978); Nocturnes, 4 pieces for Flute and Piano (1972); Flowersongs for 3 Flutes (1973); Scraps for Cello and Piano (1973); 2 string quartets: No. 1, 10 Preludes (1973) and No. 2 (1981); Flush for Saxophone (1974; rev. 1979); Songs of Denmark for Soprano and 5 Instruments (1974; rev. 1976); Double for Flute and Guitar (1975); Winternacht for 7 Instruments (1976–79); Canzone for Accordion (1978); Aria for Soprano and 4 Instruments (1979); Geduldspiel for 10 Instruments (1980); 6 Pieces for Violin, Horn, and Piano (1984); 10 Studies for Piano (1983–87); Storm and Still for Cello (1988); Hymn for Cello or Viola (1990); Capriccio Bagatels for Violin (1990). VOCAL: Herbst for Tenor or Soprano, Flute, Guitar, and Cello (1972–77); Universe Birds for 10 or 5 Sopranos (1973); Denmark Song for Soprano, Flute, Clarinet, Percussion, Piano, and Viola (1974); Aria for Soprano, Flute, Percussion, Harp, and Cello (1979); 2 Grundtvig-Motets for Chorus (1983–84); Herbstlied for Soprano, Harpsichord or Piano, Clarinet, Violin, and Cello (1992).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire